Senior benefits in Buckingham County, Virginia

Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is the Area Agency on Aging for Buckingham County. It is the local starting point that connects older adults and caregivers to Home-delivered and congregate meals, at-home services, non-emergency medical transportation, VICAP Medicare counseling, legal services, information and referral, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for adults 60+ in its seven-county area. Toll-free 800-995-6918. Most services are for adults 60 and older; adults with disabilities may also qualify for some services. Call 1-434-767-5588 to get started.

Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps income-eligible households in Buckingham County pay heating and cooling bills, with crisis help for shut-offs and broken equipment. Apply during the program windows through the Buckingham County Department of Social Services, online at CommonHelp, or by phone at 1-855-635-4370. Cooling Assistance requires a household member who is 60 or older, has a disability, or is a child under 6. Fuel Assistance applications are taken each fall and Cooling Assistance each summer, while funds last.

Estimated bill savings: $300–$1,000 a year

Uninsured and underinsured residents of Buckingham County can apply for financial assistance (charity care) at Centra Southside Community Hospital for emergency and medically necessary care. Discounts are based on household size and income compared with the Federal Poverty Level. No in-county hospital; nearest is Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville (Prince Edward County), ~15 miles from Buckingham Court House. centrahealth.com blocks all automated fetchers from this environment (HTTP 403 even on /robots.txt), so the financial assistance page could not be fetched and verified; fap_url left null and the phone is from search snippets, not a fetched page. System FAP URL borrowed from the R6 research (centrahealth.com 403-blocks plain fetchers; verify via Chromium escalation).

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

Buckingham County offers real estate tax relief (freeze) for homeowners who are 65 or older or permanently disabled. Total household income must be $35,000 or less, and net worth (not counting the home) must be $80,000 or less. "Tax Stabilization for the Elderly and Disabled": age 65+ or permanently and totally disabled, at least 5 years' county residency, apply to the Commissioner of the Revenue between January 1 and July 1 each year. Source is the county's currently posted application PDF (still the 2019 form) linked from the Commissioner of Revenue page (buckinghamcountyva.org/administration/commissioner_of_revenue.php), which lists 'Real Estate Tax Relief (434) 969-4972'. No newer limits are published on the county site. Apply through the local commissioner of the revenue or assessment office.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$3,000 a year

Blackstone Area Bus System (BABS) serves Buckingham County with Rural public bus system with a Buckingham-Cumberland route; fares are paid when boarding (exact change) but fare amounts and any senior discount are not published on the site. Piedmont Senior Resources AAA also provides 60+ demand-response medical transportation (1-866-392-8432). Older adults and people with disabilities can use reduced fares or demand-response rides for medical appointments, shopping, and other essential trips. Rides are free or low-cost depending on the service. Call 1-434-292-3025 for schedules, eligibility, or to book a ride.

Estimated service value: $150–$1,500 a year